Now that the World Cup is a tournament for 32 teams, more countries can qualify, but fewer can play host. South America makes this situation very clear. The continent staged the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and, up until 1978, hosted four of the first 11 -- all in the days when a maximum of 16 teams took part.
Since then, the tournament has grown, first to 24 and then to 32, without returning to the continent of its birth. And six years ago, when FIFA announced that under a rotation system, 2014 would be South America's turn, everyone knew what the outcome would be. CONMEBOL (the South American Federation) almost immediately announced that Brazil was its sole candidate.
Colombia later broke ranks and briefly ran a rival bid, but it was never serious. Its main aim was almost certainly to protect itself from the rise of Venezuela, which was investing heavily in stadiums for the '07 Copa América. It was successful -- Colombia overcame its neighbors to be awarded the 2011 Under-20 World Cup Cup. At the senior level, though, Brazil remains the only South American country that could single-handedly stage a 32-team tournament.
This is a consequence of the continent's economic inheritance. Many South American countries are dominated by one major city -- typically the port through which its raw materials were exported and manufactured produce flooded in. It was a model that left the countries with a big port and an undeveloped hinterland, like a huge head on top of a feeble body.
When Uruguay staged the first World Cup in 1930, the action was restricted to Montevideo. The three stadiums used were all situated in the nation's capital. In '62, Chile used four stadiums in four different cities, but the Nacional in Santiago was the only ground with a capacity of more than 20,000. In '78, Argentina used two stadiums in Buenos Aires as well as four grounds in other cities around the country.
The comparison with Europe is clear. In '34, Italy used eight cities. Four years later, France used nine. In '58, Sweden used 12. Brazil used six in '50, still the most decentralized World Cup ever staged in South America -- although Brazil is sure to break its own record in five years' time.
A country of continental dimensions, Brazil takes up half of South America, and has no problems finding enough potential venues for a World Cup. Eighteen cities are candidates to stage matches in 2014. FIFA originally wanted 10. Brazil has been lobbying hard for 12, and is optimistic of success. Whatever the outcome, it's going to be an ambitious project that will represent a huge opportunity for the development of the Brazilian game.
The '50 World Cup is usually remembered for the defeat that Brazil suffered against Uruguay in the final, the biggest disaster in the country's collective consciousness. But there's another side to the story.
With matches in Porto Alegre and Curitiba in the south, in a new stadium in Belo Horizonte (where the U.S. beat England) in the hinterland and in Recife on the northeastern coast, the '50 World Cup was a genuinely national affair. It helped to strengthen soccer outside the traditional centers of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. When the country at last set up a national championship in '71, the fruits of this process were soon apparent. The major clubs of Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre lost nothing in comparison with the traditional giants.
From a long-term perspective, the '50 World Cup was a raging success. Brazilian soccer now needs to ensure that the same is true in 2014. There's little doubt that Brazil can stage a tournament full of magical moments that will be recalled fondly for many years by the local population, thousands of tourists and billions worldwide watching on TV. But what will be the lasting legacy for the Brazilian game? This is the most important consideration.
The possibility exists that the opportunity might be wasted. The story of the Pan-American Games, staged by Rio de Janeiro in '07, illustrates the dangers. The authorities basked in an orgy of self-congratulation, the event went way over budget, huge sums of public money were spent -- and the legacy was deeply disappointing. None of the promises on transportation infrastructure were transformed into reality and the sporting installations that were built for the games aren't considered successful.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_vickery/01/06/brazil.2014/?eref=sircrc
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Brazilian Soccer Star Marta Going to Los Angeles
The Brazilian star Marta has bid farewell to her Swedish club team and is expected to sign with the Los Angeles Sol of the new Women’s Professional Soccer league. An announcement could come on Monday in Switzerland, where Marta is one of five finalists for FIFA’s women’splayer of the year award.
Marta, 22, whose full name is Marta Vieira da Silva, has played for Umea IK in Sweden since 2004 but turned down a new contract to accept a three-year, $1.5 million deal with the Sol, according to the Expressen, a daily newspaper in Stockholm.
“We’re in a great place with it, but I don’t want to say anything without having a signed document,” Charlie Naimo, the Sol’s general manager, said Thursday in a telephone interview from Chula Vista, Calif., where he was scouting players at a United States national team under-23 training camp. “I will say that that’s a lot of money to be throwing around and that a figure of $500,000 a year is ridiculous. But from our perspective, we’re cautiously optimistic and we like our position.”
Marta, a skillful and creative left-footed player who is comfortable as either a striker or a midfielder, has played 45 times for Brazil’s women’s national team, most recently in the gold medal game at the Beijing Olympics, a 1-0 overtime loss to the United States. She has twice been named FIFA’s women’s player of the year and is expected to walk away with her third trophy at a banquet Monday night in Zurich.
Marta’s friend and teammate at Umea, central defender Johanna Frisk, 22, has also left the club and is close to signing a contract with the Sol, Naimo said. The W.P.S. is a seven-team league scheduled to begin play in late March when the Sol host the Washington Freedom in the league’s inaugural game, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
“I’m confident it’s not a done deal, but it looks good,” Naimo said. “We’re in the same boat with all five of our international players: we have soft agreements. But until we have something signed, there’s nothing binding.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/soccer/09soccer.html?ref=sports
Marta, 22, whose full name is Marta Vieira da Silva, has played for Umea IK in Sweden since 2004 but turned down a new contract to accept a three-year, $1.5 million deal with the Sol, according to the Expressen, a daily newspaper in Stockholm.
“We’re in a great place with it, but I don’t want to say anything without having a signed document,” Charlie Naimo, the Sol’s general manager, said Thursday in a telephone interview from Chula Vista, Calif., where he was scouting players at a United States national team under-23 training camp. “I will say that that’s a lot of money to be throwing around and that a figure of $500,000 a year is ridiculous. But from our perspective, we’re cautiously optimistic and we like our position.”
Marta, a skillful and creative left-footed player who is comfortable as either a striker or a midfielder, has played 45 times for Brazil’s women’s national team, most recently in the gold medal game at the Beijing Olympics, a 1-0 overtime loss to the United States. She has twice been named FIFA’s women’s player of the year and is expected to walk away with her third trophy at a banquet Monday night in Zurich.
Marta’s friend and teammate at Umea, central defender Johanna Frisk, 22, has also left the club and is close to signing a contract with the Sol, Naimo said. The W.P.S. is a seven-team league scheduled to begin play in late March when the Sol host the Washington Freedom in the league’s inaugural game, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
“I’m confident it’s not a done deal, but it looks good,” Naimo said. “We’re in the same boat with all five of our international players: we have soft agreements. But until we have something signed, there’s nothing binding.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/soccer/09soccer.html?ref=sports
Determined Milan Desperate For Victory Against Roma – Pato
The young Brazilian is confident that his side will be at their best this weekend against Roma.
The Serie A resumes this weekend, and undoubtedly the match of the opening round of 2009 sees Milan travel to Rome to face the Giallorossi, in what is certain to be an intriguing contest.
The Rossoneri are third in the league at present, and can ill afford to drop any points in this clash, if they wish to keep up with Inter and Juventus, who are both ahead of them in the standings.
In the lead up to the big match, the club’s young Brazilian striker, Alexandre Pato, has given his thoughts on the pulsating fixture.
“It will be a beautiful match between two great teams,” Pato said in an interview with Sky.
“We were happy with 2008, and we are hungry for more this year, and that starts this weekend against Roma.
“We are determined to do well and we will continue to give our all in every match we play,” he added.
The 19-year-old striker concluded the interview by making a comment on the club’s new arrival David Beckham, a player whomo he has great admiration for.
“Beckham’s arrival has been great for the club, and as I have seen him train and play, I can tell that he is very strong, not only on the field, but also off it.
“For me it is a great pleasure to train with him and with all of my team mates.
“I am happy to be here. It's great, we are strong, and I look forward to my future in Milan,” he concluded.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1708/ac-milan/2009/01/10/1053230/determined-milan-desperate-for-victory-against-roma--pato
The Serie A resumes this weekend, and undoubtedly the match of the opening round of 2009 sees Milan travel to Rome to face the Giallorossi, in what is certain to be an intriguing contest.
The Rossoneri are third in the league at present, and can ill afford to drop any points in this clash, if they wish to keep up with Inter and Juventus, who are both ahead of them in the standings.
In the lead up to the big match, the club’s young Brazilian striker, Alexandre Pato, has given his thoughts on the pulsating fixture.
“It will be a beautiful match between two great teams,” Pato said in an interview with Sky.
“We were happy with 2008, and we are hungry for more this year, and that starts this weekend against Roma.
“We are determined to do well and we will continue to give our all in every match we play,” he added.
The 19-year-old striker concluded the interview by making a comment on the club’s new arrival David Beckham, a player whomo he has great admiration for.
“Beckham’s arrival has been great for the club, and as I have seen him train and play, I can tell that he is very strong, not only on the field, but also off it.
“For me it is a great pleasure to train with him and with all of my team mates.
“I am happy to be here. It's great, we are strong, and I look forward to my future in Milan,” he concluded.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1708/ac-milan/2009/01/10/1053230/determined-milan-desperate-for-victory-against-roma--pato
Friday, December 26, 2008
12 cities to host World Cup in Brazil
Soccer's governing body agreed to increase from 10 to 12 the number of Brazilian cities that will host the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil's soccer federation said Friday it persuaded FIFA to make the change because of the size of the country.
According to the O Globo newspaper, five of the 18 potential host cities that will definitely stage World Cup games are: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Porto Alegre.
The northeastern cities of Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Curitiba in the south are "almost certain" sites, the newspaper said. It added that the remaining three cities will be chosen from Manaus, Belem, Cuiaba, Goiania, Campo Grande and Florianpolis.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-12-26-804270844_x.htm
Brazil's soccer federation said Friday it persuaded FIFA to make the change because of the size of the country.
According to the O Globo newspaper, five of the 18 potential host cities that will definitely stage World Cup games are: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Porto Alegre.
The northeastern cities of Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Curitiba in the south are "almost certain" sites, the newspaper said. It added that the remaining three cities will be chosen from Manaus, Belem, Cuiaba, Goiania, Campo Grande and Florianpolis.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2008-12-26-804270844_x.htm
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Soccer-Same old story for unhappy Brazil
Brazil's goalless draw to Colombia in their World Cup qualifier brought a predictably angry reaction from the media on Thursday, although they stopped short of calling for the head of coach Dunga.
The match was almost a replica of the previous month's stalemate with Bolivia, with Brazil lacking the ideas to break down defensive but unambitious opponents.
Brazil were jeered off the field after what is expected to be their last match of the campaign at the Maracana stadium and Dunga, a former hard-tackling midfielder in his playing days, was insulted by the crowd.
"The Maracana won't miss them," said the influential daily O Globo.
"As boring as a party political broadcast," added the Jornal dos Sports. "No shine and no class. Just like Dunga's football when he was player."
The sports daily Lance said: "Brazil were a team with no creativity and no solutions for breaking down an opposition which was based on tactical application."
Curiously, Brazil have won their last two away games in the group, scoring seven goals in the process. But in those matches, opponents Chile and Venezuela, encouraged by home advantage, opened up and left space for Brazil's lethal counterattacks.
Dunga, however, has been unable to adapt Brazil's style to deal with teams who shut up shop.
Strangely, he kept the same formation for Wednesday's game with Kaka in midfield along with three tackling specialists in Gilberto Silva, Jose and Elano.
Despite their inconsistent form, Brazil are second in the 10-team South American group with 17 points from 10 games and should easily maintain their 100 percent attendance record at the World Cup finals.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKLG53269320081016?sp=true
The match was almost a replica of the previous month's stalemate with Bolivia, with Brazil lacking the ideas to break down defensive but unambitious opponents.
Brazil were jeered off the field after what is expected to be their last match of the campaign at the Maracana stadium and Dunga, a former hard-tackling midfielder in his playing days, was insulted by the crowd.
"The Maracana won't miss them," said the influential daily O Globo.
"As boring as a party political broadcast," added the Jornal dos Sports. "No shine and no class. Just like Dunga's football when he was player."
The sports daily Lance said: "Brazil were a team with no creativity and no solutions for breaking down an opposition which was based on tactical application."
Curiously, Brazil have won their last two away games in the group, scoring seven goals in the process. But in those matches, opponents Chile and Venezuela, encouraged by home advantage, opened up and left space for Brazil's lethal counterattacks.
Dunga, however, has been unable to adapt Brazil's style to deal with teams who shut up shop.
Strangely, he kept the same formation for Wednesday's game with Kaka in midfield along with three tackling specialists in Gilberto Silva, Jose and Elano.
Despite their inconsistent form, Brazil are second in the 10-team South American group with 17 points from 10 games and should easily maintain their 100 percent attendance record at the World Cup finals.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKLG53269320081016?sp=true
Friday, July 18, 2008
Soccer-Milan's Ronaldinho excited to play with Kaka
Brazil forward Ronaldinho said he was mostly looking forward to teaming up again with compatriot Kaka as he was unveiled as an AC Milan player on Thursday.
The San Siro was almost half full to welcome the 28-year-old, who wore a Milan kit as he waved to the crowd from the pitch.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has said the former Barcelona man will probably play alongside Kaka in a Christmas tree formation with a main striker just ahead of them.
It is not just the Rossoneri fans and their coach drooling over the idea.
"I will be exciting to play with Kaka. He is among the best in the world. He is also a friend, in the national team we play well together," said Ronaldinho, who unlike Kaka is being allowed by the club to play at next month's Olympics.
"Every player dreams of playing for Milan. It is a special emotion and I hope to bring happiness to all the fans."
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKL1725037620080717
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Bayer get their Brazilian
Bayer Leverkusen have signing 20-year-old midfielder Renato Soares de Oliveira Augusto from Brazilian outfit Flamengo.
Leverkusen had been searching for a new midfielder in Brazil for several weeks and they are happy with their capture, even if he was harder to sign than expected.
"They were very difficult and complex negotiations with Flamengo and a lot of praise goes to our general manager Michael Reschke who was able to conclude the transfer," said Bayer business manager Wolfgang Holzhauser on the club's website.
Renato Augusto has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side, joining for an undisclosed fee, and will join his new team-mates next week.
He becomes the first Brazilian at the club since Roque Junior left in 2006.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,3033_3803266,00.html
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